Qualifications mean better jobs and better prospects for Hume residents
19 January 2011
Changing face of VET: Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall visited Kangan Institute's Broadmeadows campus this week to announce a new policy to provide concession fee rates for eligible diploma and advanced diploma students.
With more than 40,000 annual student enrolments, 430 accredited courses and a wide range of study choices from academic and paraprofessional through to trade courses and VCE/VCAL programs, Kangan Institute is Hume region's own tertiary hub.
From his office based at the Institute's Broadmeadows campus, CEO Ray Griffiths today announced a range of new initiatives designed to help students reach their full potential - as learners, skilled workers and engaged members of the community.
"We're making sure our new and continuing students get 2011 off to a flying start with the introduction of some great new programs and pathways," he said.
"Providing learning opportunities is what we're all about at Kangan Institute, making our pathways to university study a popular drawcard for many students.
"Along with our range of pathway agreements with places like La Trobe, Monash and Victoria University, I'm pleased to announce a new initiative which will see the direct delivery of a university business degree program from Broadmeadows.
"This means that students can transition from an advanced diploma into a bachelor degree all from the one location, completing their studies in just three years."
The new direct delivery program has been established with the University of Ballarat, and will see participating students receive both the advanced diploma qualification and an internationally-recognised bachelor degree.
The program is the first step towards a greater plan to ensure continued study options for students beyond their time at Kangan Institute. The Institute Board has made a commitment that by 2012, every single Kangan student, at every single level of study will have a guaranteed and strongly supported pathway to a degree level qualification if they elect to continue with their studies.
These pathways will include some specialised undergraduate degrees developed and delivered by Kangan Institute staff members under authority from the government.
Ray said this new commitment highlights just how adaptive the vocational education and training system has become.
"Everyone at Kangan believes passionately in the value of education," he said.
"It's about creating pathways and qualifications which reflect the needs of industry, whether that's with continued tertiary study or with one of our nationally-recognised qualifications.
"Our TAFE qualifications stand strongly on their own and have helped thousands of students launch successful careers. Now students have the option to extend their learning through tertiary study. Students can really have the best of both worlds."
Research indicates that each year many thousands of Australians with university degrees enrol in vocational education and training to get a TAFE qualification improve their real life skills and work opportunities.
To find out where a TAFE qualification can take you call 13 TAFE (13 8233) or visit our website.
